Overwhelming Fear or Overwhelming Trust?

You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. (Proverbs 3:25-26)

As report after report shines light on some fraud, abuse, or disastrous plan that had been hatched, we might just find ourselves feeling a little overwhelmed by the fear that these reports have a way of creating within the hearts of millions these days. We might feel more than a little angst as to whether we will receive our regular income from our job or retirement funds. We could be wondering how we will be able to afford necessary healthcare if this plan or that one folds. We might even be feeling a little dread over what comes next on the agenda of whoever holds the power of the day. We must never lose sight of one thing - God is still in control, even when we don't see his hand, it is still directing the course of our lives.

God's 'advice' to us is to stop being afraid. He will not allow our 'security' to be disturbed. Our 'security' isn't in a financial system, healthcare system, or employment system. It is in God alone. We need not fear the results of ill-formed, disastrous schemes of people around us. Even in the midst of the greatest chaos, he reigns supreme. Hear that and begin to believe it like your life depends on it - because it does! Our footing is secure - even when all things around us seem to be falling apart. The temptation to be fearful is easily given into when we aren't sure about where our anchor is placed. Place than anchor in 'solid ground' and you need not fear that worst that will come.

God helps us 'keep our footing' in the midst of disastrous circumstances. We don't have to hold ourselves in that secure anchorage - he even does that work. All we do is keep our eyes on him. I cannot emphasize this enough. Whoever it is we focus on the most will be the one we 'trust'. If we keep our eyes on the naysayers, negative nellies, and bad news commentators, we will experience unsettling fear that actually perpetuates more fear. If we keep our eyes squarely on Jesus, refusing to focus on the negative reports of the day, we will experience a peace that supersedes any negative report. We can either be overwhelmed by fear or live within an overwhelming trust. The choice is ours. Just sayin!